There might finally be some movement on the situation involving Browns free agent center Alex Mack.
Mack, hit with the transition tag on March 10, was in Jacksonville April 4 and had dinner with Coach Gus Bradley and General Manager David Caldwell, according to the Florida Times-Union. Mack left the next morning without being offered a contract, but according to reports, both sides thought the meeting went well, which means an offer could be made very soon.
As a transition player, Mack has the right to negotiate a contract with another team just as any unrestricted free agent does. But if he signs an offer sheet, the Browns have five days to match it. The Browns would lose Mack without compensation if they do not match.
The Jaguars are one of the few teams that could make it difficult for the Browns to match an offer to Mack. With nearly $30.8 million available, the Browns have the most salary cap room in the league, but the Jaguars are not far behind with $25.1 million in cap room.
Last month, Mack’s primary agent, Marvin Demoff, told Sports Illustrated he could create a contract that would make it difficult for the Browns to match. The story in the Florida Times-Union written by Ryan O’Halloran explained that might happen by front-loading the contract with guaranteed money:
“The only way the Jaguars can pull this off is to load it up with so much money now — roster bonus, workout bonus, etc. — that Cleveland doesn’t want to match,” O’Halloran wrote, quoting an unnamed source.
The Jaguars could offer Mack more than $20 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. That could put the Browns in a bind because they have to save money for cornerback Joe Haden. They are working on an extension for Haden, who will be a free agent in 2015 without a new deal.
The Jaguars need a center because 14-year veteran Brad Meester retired. It is believed the Jaguars are the first team Mack has met with since free agency began on March 11. The Colts and Ravens were each reportedly interested in Mack, but each team signed a center in free agency rather than court Mack and possibly lose him and another center while waiting to see if the Browns would match.
Mack, 28, was the 21st pick of the 2009 draft. He became a starter from Day One and has made 4,998 consecutive snaps. He has played for three head coaches — Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur and Rob Chudzinski. All three were fired.
The Browns would have a hole to fill on the offensive line if they lose Mack to Jacksonville or another team. John Greco can play center, but then the Browns would need a starting left guard to replace Greco.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, GM Ray Farmer, head coach Mike Pettine and offensive line coach Andy Moeller met with Mack in California the weekend before free agency started. Salary cap manager Sashi Brown was also part of the contingent.
The Browns wanted to sign Mack to a long-term contract at that meeting, but Mack opted for free agency instead. When he made that clear, the Browns used the transition tag on him.
Mack will earn $10.039 million in 2014 as an offensive lineman transition player if he signs the Browns’ tender instead of signing an offer sheet from another team. He would then be a free agent in 2015 without a new contract. He has until July 22 to sign the tender.